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T O P I C R E V I E W

Robert Pearlman

Received from Dayna Steele Justiz, Cosmic Rendezvous Event Chair:

The design team at AB Emblem, which works closely with the astronaut's office at the NASA Johnson Space Center, decided to honor our gala with a one-of-a-kind, limited edition commemorative patch. The patch is comprised of elements that honor all three crews, as well as commemorating the gala and the Challenger Center for Science Education.

Our silent auction features a signed, matted and framed version of this patch, which will be permanently retired after the night's festivities. So make sure to bid on it and possibly take home a piece of history that honors the courage and spirit of the U.S. space program.

NOTE: Only 10 patches will be produced and each will be matted. After that, the design will be retired and destroyed, not be reproduced for any reason. If another company tries to make and sell replicas, you will know it is not the originals! We will have all ten mats signed by as many astronauts as we can that evening.

Gilbert

Man, I would like to own one of those 10.

cklofas

So would I, unfortunately I think the final price on the auctioned one will be somewhere between stratospheric and astronomical.

hoorenz

Why on Earth would you want one of these? Everyone can order ten patches from AB or any other company and call them "rare".

Robert Pearlman

Given that the design is the property of AB Emblem, unlike the public domain designs issued by NASA, Randy (or anyone else) would be opening themselves to a potential lawsuit if they remake this patch for commercial sale.

hoorenz

Maybe. But who cares? Anyone could design a patch like this and have it signed by astronauts. What value is a patch that was never designed to be worn by anyone? And has no connection with the Challenger, Columbia or Apollo-1 crew to begin with? I just do not like things that are solely produced "because they are collectable". Especially if only ten are produced to be able to say it is "rare". Produced by Randy Hunt or AB Emblem makes no difference to me in this case. It is simply worth nothing at all. By the way, I think this patch is really poorly designed. I feel sorry for those who will spent money on it, believing they own something special.

Robert Pearlman

As the patch was designed with the cooperation of the Challenger Center, which is in turn lead by the families of the STS-51L crew, and was produced for an event with participation from the Apollo 1 and STS-107 families, it stands to reason that this design has more significance than just a random commercial release.

But that doesn't mean everyone will like it or desire it. For those fortunate to attend the event on the 24th, I could see this patch, when matted, signed by the evening's guests of honor, and framed, as a very desirable memory of what should prove to be a very memorable gala.

cklofas

I agree with Robert. The lucky person whos gets this will have a tremendous memento of what is sure to be a fabulous evening. Now if only my lotto numbers would hit by then.....

Carrie

I have a question about the gala itself; is it an annual event? I ask because it's too late for me to make plans to go this year, but would think about attending next year, if it's a regularly scheduled event.

Robert Pearlman

This is the first time the Challenger Center has hosted a gala, so perhaps its too early to say if this will be an annual event. I know I have heard the word "annual" used to describe this gala, so it stands to reason if this evening goes smoothly, that another will follow.

Of course, as soon as its known for sure, I'll be posting it to collectSPACE.

Carrie

Thanks! I hope for their sake and ours, that they can and will have another. I have to choose my vacation in (roughly) February, so I'm starting to weigh the options now!